Nigeria vs Ghana: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Published at :March 20, 2024 at 2:03 PM

Modified at :March 20, 2024 at 2:03 PM

Two new managers go up against each other in an international friendly

Nigeria and Ghana, two African powerhouses, are poised to face off in an international friendly in Morocco this week. Nigeria aims to rebound from their heartbreaking 2-1 defeat in the AFCON final to Ivory Coast in February. Despite their valiant efforts in the final, victory eluded them. Nevertheless, they are eager to make a strong comeback with a resounding win against Ghana.

On the flip side, Ghana are starting anew with Otto Addo taking charge as their new manager. After a disappointing AFCON campaign that saw them falter in the Group Stage, Ghana seeks to turn things around under Addo’s leadership. Their objective is to kickstart this new chapter on a positive note by overcoming the formidable Nigerian side.

Kick-off:

Friday, 22 March 2024 at 8:30 PM IST

Location: Marrakesh Stadium

Form

Nigeria (in all competitions): W-W-W-W-L

Ghana (in all competitions): L-D-L-D-D

Players to watch out

Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)

Nigeria will rely on the seasoned striker, Victor Osimhen, to spearhead their offensive efforts as they embark on a journey to Morocco for matches against Ghana and Mali.

With his wealth of experience and goal-scoring abilities, Osimhen will play a pivotal role in leading Nigeria’s attack, aiming to secure victories against tough opponents. His presence on the field brings a sense of confidence and dynamism to the Nigerian team as they prepare to face African nations.

Mohammed Kudus (Ghana)

Kudus exhibits notable strengths in athleticism and physical effectiveness. His impressive burst of acceleration allows him to swiftly distance himself from his marker. While possessing a high sprint speed, his shorter legs hinder sustained acceleration over longer distances during transitions.

However, his robust physique enables him to effectively contend with defenders, complemented by his advantageous low center of gravity, which enhances his agility.

Match facts:

Nigeria have won five of their last six international matches.
Ghana have a better head-to-head record against their opponents.
Nigeria opened the scoring in each of their last six matches.

Injury and team news

The African nation is introducing promising newcomers with first call-ups, including center-back Benjamin Tainimu, and youngsters Nathan Tella, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Tyronne Ebuehi. Victor Osimhen leads Nigeria’s attack in Morocco, supported defensively by Gabriel Osho.

Otto Addo’s Ghana aims to revive World Cup 2022 form, missing key players like Inaki Williams and Thomas Partey due to injuries. Joseph Painstill deals with visa issues after moving to the US. Four potential debutants join Ghana’s squad: David Akologo, Ibrahim Osman, Nathaniel Adjei, and Diomande Mohamed.

Head to Head

Total matches – 53

Nigeria wins – 11

Ghana wins – 22

Draws – 20

Predicted lineup for Nigeria vs Ghana

Nigeria predicted lineup (4-4-2):

Nwabali; Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Aina; Onyeka, Iwobi, Sanusi, Chukuweze; Lookman, Osimhen

Ghana predicted lineup (4-4-2):

Ofori; Odoi, Djiku, Sailisu, Mensah; Samed, Majeed, Ayew, Kudus; Andre Ayew, Semenyo

Match prediction for Nigeria vs Ghana:

The showdown in Morocco marks the beginning of a new era for both Nigeria and Ghana in football. Despite Ghana’s recent superiority over Nigeria, the momentum gained from Nigeria’s AFCON performance and Ghana’s decline should tip the scales in Nigeria’s favor.

Although the squads appear evenly matched, Nigeria is poised to clinch victory by a narrow margin. Both Nigeria and Ghana boast impressive technical abilities, suggesting a potentially low-scoring affair.

Prediction: Nigeria 2-1 Ghana

Telecast

India – FanCode

UK – N/A

US – N/A

Nigeria – Afrosport

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